Nationality: American | Year of birth: 1959

Charles L. Sawyers is a highly accomplished expert and leader in cancer research. As a physician and prominent scientist, he has a deep understanding of the benefits of drugs for patients and society at large, and the importance of access to medicines. Dr. Sawyers co-developed the Novartis cancer drug Gleevec/Glivec and has received numerous honors and awards, including the Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award.

Professional experience

• Chair of the human oncology and pathogenesis program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, US (2006–present)
• Professor of medicine (2008–present), and professor of cell and developmental biology (2011–present), Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, US
• Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, US (2002–2006 and 2008–present)
• Associate chief, division of hematology-oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, US (1996–2006)

Mandates

• Member, National Academy of Medicine, US
• Member, National Academy of Sciences, US
• Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, US
• Member, National Cancer Advisory Board, US (2012–2020)
• President, American Association for Cancer Research, US (2013–2014)

Education

• Doctor of medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, US
• Bachelor’s degree, Princeton University, US

Key skills

• Medicine/healthcare/R&D